The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-16
ADJUSTMENTS.
Modjeska in "As You Like TT


Modieska's Rosalind abounds in graces.
She invests the palt with charming per
sonality. Her comprehension Of it is COM
plctc. II is part, indeed, which requires
no special gift Of analysis TO discover It's
qualities. Rosalind is simple hearted
maiden who is very much in love, and
who, with that ingenuity 10 which the poet
refers when he says that "lovo laughs
at locksmiths," finds u way 10 keep her
lover well In hand pending the turn in
fortunes wheel that brings them together
under happy conditions. Modjoskas Ro-
salind fits through the forest like n sun
beam making glad the dark places. The
distinctive feature Of her impenona,ion
is its maidcnlincss. She is careful TO give
it no touch oi hoidcnishness. Her Rosa
lind, though accoutercd in masculine
habilimcn,s. has no "doublet and hose"
in her disposition. The stimulation Of
nervousness in Orlandos presence is con-
slant, and tins is one OF the finest incl
dents OF her performance. There are Ros-
alinds, and We have seen them play, who
quito forgot that Rosalind was girl OF
modest attributes, reared amid the strict
est conyentionalitiys. Modjcska does not
forget il. and her Rosalind Is always
young woman who is not quito sure that
she is doing tho proper thing. This gives
her characterization peculiar charm. The
fact that Rosalind is n sufferer from great
wrongs, that sho is not in the fores. OF her
own yolitiOn, but that she IL in reality a
wandorcr, bOroit 81 parents and home,
Is not loot sight Of by Modjeskn, and, when
one smiles at her franksomencss in the
forest, ones eyes are, nevertheless,
dimmed in sympathy. Madjeska's art is
Oi that exquisite quality which, while
making subtle deinitiOns, does not fail To
make them clearly. For example, Nodes
ka's RoSalind Is very seli-conscious, as
is most natural 10 n young woman 30
much out Of her element rs dukes
daughter must 30 when finding herself
in wilderness, In mans attire, and con-
fronting her lover, but II is by no means
| the seli-consciousnes Of Modjeska herself.
ModIckas Rosahpd never looks Or
lando in the eye< uniiinchingly. The love
that snrchapr.s bee heart h ever rting ~
her lips, the blush Is ever mantling her
| check, and she Is ever restraining her dis.
position 10 confess her identity. One
may wait a long time before witnessing a
| dramatic Interpretation NJ engaging. The
company with which Modjeska has sur
rounded herself this season IL excellent.
The minor parts in last nights play were
unusually well played. For once
the shepherd was not made an
idiot, and Phoebe and Sylyius were
given with intelligence. Mr.. Vandenhon
is deserving Of special praise for the nat
uralncss OF his jacques. His scnsibly
colloquial manner was vcry refreshing
Orlando would have been better had lac
not slurrcd his words and minded his nc.
cents. From physical point Of view, lac
wis all tina, could be- wished.
Tonight Camille" will be given. II
was in this part that Modjcska Inst won
the recognition Of tho American public
and in it, performance she has only one
peer now ON the stage Bernhard YET
her Interpretation is distinct from that o.
tho great French actress and rs full o.
artistic mcrit.